Sports

Stone raises roof

When the Minnesota Golden Gophers come to town for any sport, it's usually a big deal. UW women's basketball head coach Lisa Stone is making sure that is the case when her Badgers take on the Gophers at the Kohl Center Jan. 28, an event now known as "Raise the Roof."

Stone is donating a quarter for every ticket purchased for Sunday's game to Gilda's Club Madison, a local support center for those harmed by cancer.

"I think it's a great cause," Stone said. "I've been touched by [cancer] in a number of ways."

Not only will fans be helping a good cause by purchasing tickets to this game, but they will also see some pretty good basketball. Minnesota is currently 4-3 in the Big Ten Conference, and sits in fifth place. Wisconsin stands one game behind Minnesota at 3-4 in conference play.

The American Transmission Company has also stepped in to lend a helping hand. It will match Stone's donation of $0.25 per ticket, doubling the total donation.

At this point, about 13,700 tickets have been sold for this event. Playing in front of a nearly sold-out crowd is not something Stone's Badgers are accustomed to, but they are certainly excited about it.

"It's always amazing to have a crowd behind you, especially with that many people," sophomore forward Caitlyn Gibson said with a smile. "I think our freshmen are really going to enjoy it a lot, because they haven't really experienced a true sellout. It's going to be really fun."

Gibson also said her squad matches up "very well" with the Golden Gophers, and predicted a Badger victory if the team is patient and works together.

Bucky's Locker Room is also getting into the mix. It is selling limited edition T-shirts with the "Raise the Roof" logo on the front. The shirts are selling for $15, and $5 per shirt will be donated to Gilda's Club Madison as well. Fans are encouraged to wear the shirts to the Kohl Center Sunday to show their support.

For months the UW women's basketball team has been focused mainly on two things: school and basketball. But this event has really put things into perspective for freshman forward Mariah Dunham.

"I think it's a great thing Coach Stone is [doing, making] fans realize that it's more than just basketball," Dunham said. "It's for people that are less privileged than we are. We're fighting for them as well as they're fighting to survive."

The players aren't the only ones excited about Sunday's festivities. Although she may not be suited up to play against the Gophers, Stone seems just as excited.

"It's a great atmosphere and something we're proud of," Stone said. "I think everybody dreams of a sell-out. I take every recruit to the top of the Kohl Center, sit in the top row, and say 'This place will be packed for women's basketball.' I took my whole team up there the first day of practice. We sat up there and looked down at the floor. This is my dream."

It seems as though her dream is about to come true.